Chapter 3: Problem 14
A particle of unit mass is constrained to move on the surface of a unit sphere, but is otherwise free. Show that the dynamical trajectories are great circles traversed at uniform speeds. Show that if \(\gamma\) is a complete circuit of a great circle in time \(t\), then $$ J_{L}(v)=2 \pi^{2} / t $$ Does \(\gamma\) minimize \(J_{L}\) over all curves on the sphere that start and end at a point \(P\) on the equator and take time \(t\) for the round trip from \(P\) back to \(P ?\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.